Business opportunities boost tourism in Western Region
By Joe Asamoah, Ph.D
The emerging oil and gas industry has opened doors to significant business opportunities including a boost to tourism in the Western Region.
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The on-going activities by the government through Ghana Gas to process the associated natural gas of the Jubilee Field is of tremendous and strategic importance.
This is due to the enormous value-added benefits of natural gas. However, Ghana needs to go further to delineate specific geographical areas as growth and development nodes for spatial development initiatives (SDIs). The promotion of sustainable development, which is the ‘in-thing’ in contemporary times, could be fast-tracked by the government through the use of SDIs.
The areas that have comparatively high incidences of poverty and unemployment could benefit from the SDIs. The sheer hunger and the determination for improvement in such areas could serve as a catalyst for sustained growth.
The headship of the region and various hues of leadership in the Oil City – political, business, traditional, and religious – could take advantage of the concept of SDI and create few in the region in general, and in the Oil City and in its peri-urban areas in particular.
Organisation of SDIs into IDZs
The SDIs may be organised into local and industrial development zones (IDZs), as well as second-tier types, for easy operability and manipulation. In addition to the growth nodes that could provide anchor projects, it is prudent to establish a vibrant gas market; on account of the ongoing construction of a gas processing plant at Atuabo, a coastal village in the region.
Before an SDI is established, the market dynamics that affect the natural gas value chain need to be properly evaluated and prudently managed to avoid failure of the chain.
For starters, the SDIs and IDZs may be situated on swathes of pipelines from Atuabo to Aboadze to link up with the existing one from Escravos, through Lagos to Aboadze – the West African Gas Pipeline.
Considering the fact that information and communications technology (ICT) industry is universal, and very valuable to any business under the sun; it is imperative that the business-minded ICT professional explore this avenue with a view to servicing the emerging oil industry.
Boost in Tourism
The Western Region has a lot of tourism potential, which adds to its huge endowment in natural resources. Tourism in the region is receiving a boost through the provision of reliable means of transport from Accra to the Oil City, within the city and also to the region in general.
The Oil City, which is arguably the gateway to the region, is witnessing a hive of business activities. It is interesting to note that a good air link is being provided by both local and foreign airlines, which makes travelling from Accra to the Oil City relatively fast and safe.
Overseas and local tourists wanting to get to the city faster have been patronising these domestic airlines. Brisk car rental business activities which are on the increase operate elegant 4x4 vehicles, sport utility vehicles and luxurious sedans in the city. Experienced and well-mannered chauffeurs make these vehicles comfortable and safe to ride.
But what are the tourist attractions in the Oil City and in the Western Region? In the Oil City, there are several places one could go for sporting activities, recreation and relaxation. These include the Harbour View, the Golf Club at the Beach Road, Akromah Plaza, Animens Hotel, and the confluence of the Whin River and the sea. In addition, one could visit the Takoradi Port, the Naval Base in Sekondi, and the picturesque Essipon Stadium.
Venturing into the hinterland, there is the Busua Pleasure Beach, near Dixcove, which provides a relaxing atmosphere in a lush and serene environment, not far from the sea. Sea food is aplenty at Busua Pleasure Beach, which is less than forty kilometres from the Oil City. Mention should also be made of the Axim Beach Hotel, which offers splendid accommodation and good cuisine.
Another interesting attraction is Nkroful - the birthplace of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah – the First President of the Republic of Ghana. Also, one could visit Nzulezu, a village with unique peculiarity. The houses in this village are built on central stilts with a raffia-crafted walkway in the middle of Lake Amanzuri.
The village has about five hundred inhabitants who are basically arable farmers. Their farms are located about one kilometre north of the lagoon. Access to the village is by canoe which takes about an hour ride from Beyin village. Further, Princess Town has a scenic beach which doubles as a fish landing site.
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